Natural Herbal Beauty

Pre-menstrual Syndrome

Bloating, breast tenderness, irritability, anger, clumsiness, inability to concentrate… the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are many and varied. The problem can be explained in terms of falling progesterone levels and an orthodox approach thus tends to concentrate on hormone treatments - or use of chaste-tree berries (often given in tincture form, up to 20 drops each morning) as a herbal alternative. Dietary imbalance and candidiasis can also play a part and there is some evidence that cutting out artificial stimulants (themselves a possible stressor on the system) such as caffeine and theobromine in coffee, tea or chocolate can help. PMS has also been linked to various nutritional deficiencies and supplements — notably Vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil - are often successfully used to relieve symptoms. (more…)

Herbs have a long tradition of use for easing the pains of childbirth and the ills of pregnancy: for generations of women they were the only available remedies and much folklore — as well as hard scientific evidence — testifies to their efficacy. Today few women in the West have the opportunity to use herbs in this way: childbirth has become a much more orderly and monitored affair.

Using herbs in pregnancy also needs caution: many contain chemicals that will cross the placental barrier, so it is unwise to take any remedies in the first three months unless you really have to. The list of herbs to be avoided in pregnancy is already long and growing as potential new hazards are identified and, frequently, exaggerated. Many herbs are, however, perfectly safe to use and even most of those which should be avoided in high, regular doses are fine in moderation. (more…)

The characteristic pimples and blackheads of acne are all too familiar to teenagers. Inflamed sebaceous glands — at their most active during puberty — are at the heart of the problem. The concentration of sebaceous glands varies over the body, so acne patches tend to be localized on the face, back and chest, although larger sebaceous cysts are more likely to occur on the scalp and genitals.

The conventional herbal approach is to cut down on the foods which might encourage sebaceous gland activity.This means reducing intake of refined carbohydrates (typically sugar and white flour), fried foods and animal fats. Sweets and chocolates also tend to aggravate the condition — as does excessive intake of alcohol and sweet, sugary drinks. Herbalists generally also recommend the internal use of alternatives as well as immune-strengthening herbs — like echinacea — if there is extensive infection. (more…)

Eczema Home Healing Remedies

Eczema and dermatitis (which simply means inflammation of the skin) are both terms used to describe non-contagious inflammatory skin conditions. The skin is usually red and itching with a rash, or there may be spots which can resemble small blisters which “weep” — ooze clear fluid to form a crust “Dry eczema” involves a thickening and drying of the skin and is often characterized by dry, flaky patches.

Allergies — to chemicals, metals or certain foods — are a common cause and in children milk intolerance (especially among those who have not been breast- fed) is often the culprit. Since human milk is an excellent source of gamma-linolenic acid, the illness has more recently been regarded as a failure in GLA metabolism. Persuading children to drink soya milk instead is not always easy, although it can often improve the condition. Food allergy also has aspects of addiction and dependence and children can literally be hooked on milk so, when the food is withdrawn, they can become irritable and unpleasant — much to their parents’ despair. (more…)